Healthcare professionals urged to check for food allergens in medication
- 08 March 2023
- Healthcare News
Anaphylaxis UK is urging healthcare professionals to make sure that medication prescribed to their patients does not contain ingredients that they are allergic too.
This follows a recent report of a patient with peanut allergy being given medication for a nosebleed that contained arachis oil, or peanut oil.
Separate cases of GPs mistakenly prescribing a medicine containing the patient’s problem allergen have also been reported to our charity.
It is important to be aware that food ingredients are sometimes used in medications. This can include major food allergens. Healthcare professionals should always check that a medication is free of a patient’s allergens before prescribing.
We understand the trust involved are taking immediate action to make sure this mistake does not happen again.
For more information on allergens in cosmetics, personal care products and medicines, please read our factsheet.
